Transfer Window Review

September 4, 2014

After a long summer of numerous links and potential signings, the transfer window has come to close. About a week ago I started writing a post about what was needed by the end of the transfer window to avoid the summer having been deemed a failure overall. It had initially seemed that Ed Woodward and the club had made the same mistake last year and not provided enough financial backing for the manager to address the variety of problems throughout the squad. I’d even added a joke about the club signing a striker before another midfielder (Okay, so that one happened but who would’ve thought that striker would be Falcao). Yet, as each day passed I had to edit what I wrote and it all came to a climax on Monday when pretty much everything I had identified was addressed and as a result I will now be writing about the great success of this summer’s transfer window.

From the first game against Swansea, the defence has looked a little inept, to put it politely. Granted it is a back five plagued with injuries, not to mention the three most experienced players in the unit from last season had all departed in the summer with only Luke Shaw to replace them. It doesn’t take a genius to deduce that left the club a little short defensively. The signings of Rojo and Blind are wise in that both players have experienced playing in a 3-5-2 system and doing so with relative comfort and success as shown recently at the World Cup. Whilst the experience has not been replaced it does mean that the likes of Blackett and Keane will not have to be thrust into the spotlight until they’re ready. Blind and Rojo provide an added bonus of being very versatile in defence and in the former’s case the ability of utilising him in midfield which looks to be crucial in the absence of Michael Carrick.

One of the glaring weaknesses so far in the season has been the lack of quality in United’s midfield, the likes of Fellaini, Fletcher and Anderson have been a midfield equivalent of Fernando Torres, which is to say not very good at all. The club’s signing of Ander Herrera early in the window will go some way to resolve those problems, but as seen on the weekend, when he is injured, the team looked unbalanced with both Mata and Di Maria operating from a central role. The team’s passing looked laboured and without idea, save for the odd moment of ingenuity from Di Maria’s left foot. It would have been unthinkable for the club not to have added an extra pair of legs in midfield if they are going to achieve a top four position.

Going into the season, United’s attacking options appeared to be a position of strength and depth but have failed to live up to their reputation. Perhaps it is the change of formation but the trio of Mata, Rooney and Van Persie have all looked disappointing and rather immobile. The signings of Di Maria and Falcao provided a much needed injection of speed and a willingness to get in behind defenders, which gives the team a different dimension going forward, a dimension that should achieve a better return than two goals in three games.

Falcao was the biggest shock during the transfer window with his deadline day move to Old Trafford and the Colombian striker could be the difference maker now in this side. In terms of talent he is arguably the only striker in the league to rival the ability of Sergio Aguero. Falcao isn’t going to drop deep for the ball in the same manner as Wayne Rooney but rather he is going to torment defenders playing off their shoulder and looking to exploit the space behind them much like Diego Costa has done so far at Chelsea to deadly effect. Some may argue that signing Falcao was unnecessary and that other positions required more attention but when you consider the issues over the health of Van Persie and his general play since scoring against Spain in the World Cup he has looked decidedly mediocre and though replacing him with a striker just coming off a long lay off may be risky, the potential reward is too great to ignore as is Falcao’s record around Europe scoring 155 goals in 200 games for Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco combined.

Given the quality of additions in the final week of August, the biggest criticism of United’s dealings has to be why it took so long? When you consider the efficiency of Chelsea’s transfer window and the rewards reaped early on from giving time for new signings to bed in, it is a question that deserves an answer. Of the four players signed, three of them had their intentions publicly known that they wished to leave their current club for differing reasons. Many will point to Van Gaal’s comments about wanting to give everyone an opportunity in the team but you have to wonder whether the success of pre season may have clouded the judgement of the management about the quality within the team. In the end the transfer window is reminiscent of Arsenal’s spending sprees in previous seasons after a poor start with United throwing money at a problem to try and fix it. Throwing money at the problem is the best way to solve a problem in modern football but United fans will hope the transfers were considered beforehand as opposed to a desperate last minute attempt to buy whoever was available.

After all has been said and done, the transfer window looks to be the most successful in the club’s recent history. A number of problem areas have been addressed, whilst a lot of fat has been trimmed from the squad’s wage bill as well as removing those who were surplus to requirement. The one departure that might disappointment is that of Danny Welbeck but the club has been well compensated for his services and the arrival of Falcao will certainly comfort most. In what is likely to be the club’s most important transfer period for the past two decades, there is a lot of optimism surrounding the future. Surely the only way is up now for the club?

56 Comments

riz wan - 'The one departure that might disappointment is that of Danny Welbeck but the club has been well compensated for his services and the arrival of Falcao will certainly comfort most'

as for the window .. good job woodward and the owners!! now for strootman in january and then permanently selling the remaining deadwood in the summer to bring in ronaldo and potentially a centreback depending how evans, smalling, blackett and michael keane do this season

Like Scott said, the only complaint anyone can have is that the deals could have been done earlier so that the integration can be done with. But better late than never.

Still, the job is only half done, whether it is to balance the books or simply clearing the deadwood, we should expect more movements next summer, with the likes of Young and who knows, even one out of Rvp, Rooney or Falcao. We are still lacking a CB, and a top class CM, unless otherwise Blind and Herrera has a blinder of a season ahead

j sman - 'The 24-man senior list is not definitive in terms of those available for selection as players can also be nominated from the Under-21 roster. This includes, for instance, Tyler Blackett, Adnan Januzaj, Luke Shaw and James Wilson. The Under-21 players must have been born on or after 1 January 1993'

I've said it on other threads earlier but I'll say it again here because I just can't get my head around us selling Welbz, a Mancunian, to the arse. We should have sold that mercenary scouser instead, that's as obvious as daylight. He's obviously been very ineffective, captain or otherwise.

j sman - yeah they will get a chance no doubt. im also expecting to see a bit of janko aswell. james wilson is definitely a part of our strike force thats for sure. if rvp gets injured he is 3rd choice and at the very least on the bench

i think all this bullshit about us not producing youth is just people trying to find ways to slag off united. in 07/08 our first team was incredible and we still had young players coming into the first team. now we have an amazing starting 11 again but have the likes of januzaj, wilson, blackett, keane, powell, janko and pereira very close to the matchday squad or starting 11. every top club needs a first team of incredible talent - it just so happens we have gone from 'nothing to shout about' to a starting 11 filled with a few galacticos all in one summer. now for bringing ronaldo out of his misery and let him come back and kevin strootman then we will be one of, if not the best in the world

The one .. if your going to just moan about something that has already been done then save it. its fucking boring. everyone gets it, rooney isnt too popular but he is light years ahead of welbeck in terms of ability and what he brings to the team so therefore it is in no way 'obvious as daylight' that he should have been sold.

no one has done well in the first few games but putting it all on rooney is pathetic and childish. none of our signings have played 90 minutes yet so our midfield has been an embarassment which has resulted in the defenders hoofing the ball up the pitch over the heads of mata, rooney and rvp. now that everyone will be back at the end of the international break we will see how good our players really are

and again - the one - who the fuck gives a shit about vidal?! we have di maria, falcao, blind and herrera .. vidal will be begging to join united by next summer and he can go fuck himself. his chance came and left.

Agree with you Dan...I don't know the obsession with Vidal.He's a good player but it was made to look like he was the only option available..I mean why wasn't any of the other teams actually going in for him?..Its because most of the top teams already have midfielders similar to him in their team.I would like to see him lead his team to a CL final.We have Herrera and Blind and Di Maria..with Strootman around the corner in January hopefully..He'll surely try and force a move the moment he sniffs any interest from us next time.

A great transfer window in that we bought 2 players (Falcao and Di Maria) that would grace any team in the world. Two players who had out standing world cups (Blind and Rojo), and two long term targets (Shaw and Herrera). Lets just hope it all translates into far better performances than we have seen thus far although aour injury list is in part responsible for that.

As for Welbeck, sorry to see him leave but with the arrival of Falcao it was probably inevitable. Should have got £20M for him in todays market though.

We should have sold Rooney last summer and replaced him then but I guess he is here to stay. Did nothing last night to convince me he is a anywhere near world class anymore. It's just the odd moments of brilliance and trickle of goals that keep him in the team.

David Beckham saying he's sad because Welbz was sold to the ares is really hypocritical. People who can't see through beckham's attempts to play to the gallery all the time are blind. He ditch us to sell his soul to the virus, enough said!!

@Dan Young (14:33) I concur mate. Just pointing this out to those many people who still keep saying we're short in midfield and lament missing out on him. I feel with Blind, Herrera, Di Maria and Mata, we have an excellent midfield. They just need to gel quickly.

To be honest, I think strootman has more potential than vidal.. Certainly more physically imposing, I think the dutchman is technically stronger, his passing is also better.. Strootman is a ready made box to box central mid and I wouldn't be suprised if van gaal waits for him.

I agree with Dan young, I think it's just yet more gibberish myth about united producing youth.. I think people are just worried about the blockbuster signings, a true statement of intent by a huge club.. Rivals are unhappy because united haven't allowed mediocrity to sink totally in, they are worried the club might just turn it around.

Development of younger players has always been the cornerstone of this club.. United will continue to work hard in harvesting and supplying the first team with younger players but you need to have balance of that and bringing proven quality into the team. All these crap about "players bleeds read so should therefore be exempt from being shown the door" is part of the sentimental charade holding the club in the last few years. The likes of cleverley were nothing more than sticker badges of producing players for a failing england national team, these players are not and haven't been within the squad on merit so therefore ruthless actions have to be taken..

The recruitments this transfer window have been good, keep adding more and the quality stays in-tact.

Marcos rojo does look a very good defender. Physically strong, Very composed, his positioning has improved and technically good too.. A good acquisition to the side, he just needs to stay disciplined in the hectic tempramental premier league.

That's funny, people lambast others for having a difference of opinion but seemingly cannot handle the same fire lit under them.. Laughable. Sure the invisible barrier will be conquered one day, if ever.. in which debate can be held without people strangling each other with their bras

Great revolution at Manchester United. Am glad most of the overrated mediocre english players and coaches are being flashed out. Its a great relief that we wont see Phil Neville whispering to David Moyes on the bench as they sit there looking blankfaced as the team gets washed up on the pitch. It will be nice to see Welbeck frustrate arsenal fans by falling over the ball or shuffling his feet and squandering the chance when he is in on goal one on one with the keeper. It will also be good to watch Villa play the ball sideways and backwards with passmaster Tom Cleverly who we hope will never put on a jersey again for manchester united. I also hope that one huge bird will swoop down and grab Ashley Young and drop him somewhere in the championship because filling his mouth with bird droppings cannot turn him into a footballer. The back four would also do well to be rid of Chris Smalling who plays as if he has two left feet. Rooney, jones, shaw and carrick are the only English dudes that should remain.
Nani is already doing us proud, he missed a penalty, got a yellow card and frustrated the heck out of Sporting lisbon fans in his first game on loan. Am sure he attempted one of his trademark shots that fly over the staduim into the parking lot.
Real madrid can keep the little pea who rarely scores goals nowadays, we dont mind that.
As for Anderson, i dont know what has to be done to be rid of this fatballer... sorry footballer. Someone should be paid to take him as far away from OT as possible.

Some great news..Just hearing that Marcos Rojo has been granted his work permit and is ready for the QPR game..All seems to be set now..Now lets hope we can send a message to the rest of the league by giving QPR a thrashing.

Depending on how things pan out with injuries etc could see Rooney playing deeper this season which would mean Mata stays at #10 and would accommodate RVP and Falcao.
Sir Alex started that 2 seasons ago when Rooney had his fit and the fact Utd are still light in midfield think it's a distinct possibility

Please separate facts from personal distaste. Rooney was united's top scorer in an abysmal season with the highest assists within that 18months.. Not brilliant but still better than most within the united squad.

Would be good to have ander herrera back.. only energetic and dynamic central midfielder united have and would be good to have alongside daley blind in that deep midfield role. Anything to avoid fletcher starting games because his lack of contribution in a crucial is holding united back from generating tempo to win games. I wouldn't take QPR lightly either, they are a good team. It's time van gaal dumped this 3-5-2 system which i think is more defensively focused than imposing game on an opponent.

Every player within the squad is at the command of being dropped.. any player. If Rooney is delivering, he most likely be starting but they all have to fight for a role.. none of them have been good enough anyway.

opikbidin says : Hmm, anyone thinking Strootman come in January and we sell Fellaini to Arsenal? They still need a DM and I think Fellaini will be perfect for them.

Honestly, with the spending we have done, we should aim for the title

.. this is odd i agree with an opik comment. feel like i need a shower or something. eww

yeah this 3-5-2 system needs to be changed to a 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 surely now. the only thing that could hold us back this season is that formation. i hope lvg goes back to what has served him best in his career as soon as possible.

im surprised these ronaldo comments lately arent getting talked about more. he is publicly slagging off the club president cause the monumental fuck ups he has done recently by selling di maria and alonso. not only that he has literally said he would love to return to united. he has never said that before, he has said you never know and said maybe cause he loved it here but never actually came out and said he would like to return. also hearing news of them going in for reus who plays ronaldos position and is 4 years younger. if we dont get him next summer then i wont be too interested. i'd take a 28 year old ronaldo but 29/30+ is too much considering the money involved

Anyone expecting a title challenge are thinking with their heart and not their heads. Our first target is top 4 and would be a success this season with the rebuilding job that is being undertaken. We need to concentrate in getting some points in the board first and foremost and getting some momentum.

We have been nothing short of dire for 12 months now so expecting our fortunes to dramatically change to the point of winning the title is asking way too much at this moment in time.

A top four finish is the realistic target this season and anything else is a bonus.

We should win the title just because we have bought six players? Yea....because another mid table club in City spent 100/150 million every summer for four seasons and didn't put in a challenge until their fourth season in which they won it.

We are effectively a mid table club as we're only as good as our last season. I'm not saying it should take four years, but as a realist I would be extremely disappointed with anything less than fourth this season. If we achieve top four this season then we can start talking about the title next season.

The foundations of our side are non existent at the moment with the clear out and influx of players. The cornerstone players of our success have retired or left. The only ones who really remain are Rooney and Carrick.

Chelsea look extremely strong. Mourinho was quick to move on players who didn't fit into this plans and added astute buys here and there as they only needed to add two or three players to kick of from last seasons building platform. They're extremely powerful and in harmony at the moment. It will take some team to stop them winning the title.

Man City are the champions and a threat for the title for obvious reasons I don't need to state. It's very hard to see the title not being played out between these two sides. Although I feel Chelsea are in the driving seat as they have done better in the transfer market than City.

I expect us to be fighting for the remaining two places between Liverpool and Arsenal ultimately. Liverpool are a team that despite the huge loss of Suarez are playing a system that they're very comfortable and adapted to playing in right now. Rodgers has clearly hugely improved them (which I hate to say) they will have a big say on who finishes in the top four.

I think Arsenal csn be got at as they're still a bit of a soft touch in my opinion. Until they prove otherwise I always feel they're likely to collapse when it comes to the crunch. A lot will depend on them keeping their main hitters in Ramsey, Sanchez and Walcott fit.

Rooney's better days are past him already.
Yes he was better than Danny, Chicha and Kags
and that's depending on the position they plaid.
As of now I just don't see him better than any one
else.
I'd send him packing a head of Young and create
space needed for promising Jenusaji to develop into
a better player.
Don't get me wrong, am not indicating that Young is a
better player Rooney is, its just that Young hinders no
one's time for development.
Besides that package Rooney's getting alone can
fetch the team missing and needed players

WOW, Vidal's knee injury has reportedly flared up again in training with Chile. If the reports are true, then it would basically justify Van Gaal's decision not to take a punt on him because of knee worries. Big shame that for Vidal.

Considering I wanted him so badly, maybe I should be apologizing to Van Gaal cuz he must have seen something we did not. I was almost certain his knee was healed but apparently according to this report, it isn't.

The only thing is that Fallaini escaped being sold by being in a boot and no one wants Young or Anderson so we couldn't offload them.

I think if Blind Plays in the holding mid role he will be one of the better signings of the window. I also think that LVG cannot continue with this back 3 system because it leaves us to vulnerable. If he wants to be using Di Maria as a winger he has to play a back 4 because could you imagine having such a quality talent worried about getting back on defense. Falcao should bring some life back to the striking force because he will cause a lot of competition and hopefully force Rooney to play as he did when he was no. 8. All in all I am excited about our prospects and can't wait until QPR.

cr....i really don't get you with this obsession of world class CB and world class CM...You can't have world class in every position..We have bought players who have the potential to be world class..We just have to see how they play.Nasri, David Silva, Kompany,Pogba and the rest did not begin at world class level.They were given a chance..Such processes are gradual.We couldn't get everyone.Our current squad when you take out Fletcher, Young and Valencia should be good enough to take on any side.If Stoke City can beat Man City then so should our current squad.All we need to do is gel and play the right formation.We are looking to add Strootman this January but i'd be content with a midfield of Herrera,Blind at the moment...We just need a formation which wil get the best out of them.Liverpool don't have a great midfield either but they played to their strengths and it's getting them results.Underperformers like Young and Valencia should not be played just to accomodate the formation.If they are bad, then the formation should be changed..Results are what matters nowadays and not persistent formations which fail.

No doubt van gaal has to dump the 3-5-2.. i think that system only works well wen you play the bigger teams and have to counter attack... plus you need defenders capable of it. The 3-5-2 is far too defensively focused/restrictive and doesn't allow the team to impose itself on an opponent. All these attacking qualities and you end up sticking di maria at left wing back to accommodate this damn system..

So those screaming that we get Vidal.Same with Vermalean...I guess we have to trust VanGaal..He was not rushed into buying those players..I'm sure United had already done their homework on Falcao plus he missed the world cup.Plenty of time to recover and even score two goals for Monaco...probably the best piece of business we have done..Unfortunately, we have a similar injury prone player in Fellaini who was a product of Moyes..He needs to be shipped off in January ASAP.

Re your idiotic scousers link, is it me or am I missing something when he quotes

" (Oh and just a quick point because I can see it coming, 16 of Falcao's last 63 league goals since joining La Liga have been penalties compared to 15 of 55 for Balotelli, so save that rubbish for your pub trash bin banter.) "

How can a higher percentage of penalties for Balotelli be a better strike rate than Falcao's ?

Trevor - that's one of the many things off that gabbage article i couldn't make sense of.. The author seems to be doing everything to justify to himself that balotelli is the better player and being less of gamble despite the fact he was shipped out by city and milan due to poor temperament.. The amount of work he's put in in terms of digging out statistics and wasting precious time to type up an article just emphasizes the obsession Liverpool fans will always have over united..

Almost no worries about our future. Only worry is that LVG gets fired before full transformation. Im sure if he is still on board next year, he ll sign Falcao permanently and add Hummels and Strootman. Clevs and Andos contract expires next year and Im 100% sure LVG wont extend these. Young`s contract expiers in 2016 so if he will be willing to accept lower wage, im sure we could offload him next year. So we re pretty much ok, considering Jones and Smalling can step up and Rafa stays out of injuries...

Hopefully we achieve 3rd spot and LVG stays so he can complete his plan. Anything above 4th spot and maybe further than semi final of FA cup will be considered a success this season. Anything below not acceptable considering our spendings this year.